Chess

First things first.... 

History of chess

The true origin of chess is a controversial topic and can not be accurately pinpointed. The first documented records of chess have been found in the East in Islam, Persia, India, and China. The oldest known chess books were written as early as 850 AD, and with references to the game found in other documents it can be traced back to around the year 600. 

Chess was introduced into Western Europe at an unknown date before 1000 AD. After the year 1100, chess had become a regular feature of noble life, and there were many stories explaining its origin in the west.

During the Middle Ages there was much experimentation with the rules of chess. There were demands for new rules to be applied in order to speed the game up. Such rules included allowing pawns to move two spaces on their first move, and allowing the king and queen to jump squares in the opening turns so as to get them into play faster.

Despite many modifications to the rules of chess during the middle ages, it was essentially the same game at the end of the period as the one taken from Islam 500 years before. Around the year 1500 there is evidence of a sudden reform in the rules, creating a game almost identical to chess played today.

Chess in the nineteenth century was still very much a game for educated men, or those who saw themselves as such. Chess clubs became common. 

Chess clubs only appeared after the 1870's in universities, and the standard of play stayed very low until 1914. During this time chess was very much considered a game exclusively for gentlemen.

In the last part of the twentieth century chess has become a popular game for all age groups, genders, and ethnicities. There are many chess tournaments and organizations where members can play against people from all over the globe and be ranked on the worldwide scale. There are chess computer games, chess over the internet, and informal chess clubs in schools. Chess is truly one of the most popular and timeless games ever.

Chess in NY Schools

Armenia: Compulsory Chess

Before we watch a European Journal video about a school in Armenia where Chess is a required subject think about the following:

1) Which subjects in your school are compulsory?

2) If you had a choice of subjects on the curriculum which would you want to add and why? How would the students benefit from these subjects? Swimming? Horseback riding? Video games?

3) Which subjects can train students' minds, develop logical thinking, strengthen will power, train memory, teach students how to deal with defeat, how to make decisions, and motivate them to win?

During the clip:

What are the similarities between the Armenian school portrayed in the video and our school here at Chelsea?

Let's find Armenia on the map. What are Armenia's neighbors?

What is Hyke's claim to fame?

Which problems does he face in his quest?

What is genocide?

Why is it important to know the history of your people?

After the clip:

Use the following words and expressions to describe the game of chess-

• Honest game
• How to win with honesty and how to lose with dignity
• It takes will power and strong nerves to win
• The first player to lose his nerve, loses the match
• Logical, curious young minds